Is India being forced to reconsider its relationship with the United States? In Access Asia, we explore how the aftershocks of the US's new H-1B visa policy are being felt in New Delhi. We also bring you the latest on Indonesia making overtures towards Israel after recognising Palestine back in 1988. Plus, we tell you why the Disney+ K-drama "Tempest" is stirring up a storm in China.

"Evil Unbound", a new film depicting the horrors of the Imperial Japanese Army’s Unit 731 and its germ warfare programme, has hit cinemas across China and beyond. As the latest in a wave of patriotic films to find success at home, it sheds light on one of WWII’s darkest chapters – Unit 731, the covert military unit that conducted inhumane human experiments during the war. We take a deep dive into the historical reality behind the film, featuring testimonies from former Unit 731 members – never before seen in Europe – and expert insight from Dr. Andres Rodriguez of the University of Sydney.

The testimony by former Unit 731 member Hideo Shimizu is an excerpt from this 2023 Japanese documentary.

More than 300 South Koreans detained in the US after a massive immigration raid on a Hyundai-LG factory have returned home, despite the Trump administration's offer to let them stay. As he marked 100 days since he took over a country in crisis, President Lee Jae Myung warned that the incident could make companies hesitate to invest in the US. Jay Song, honorary associate professor at The Australian National University, speaks to FRANCE 24 about the possible wider consequences of the raid.

But first, an uneasy calm has been restored in Kathmandu after two days of violent protests left dozens dead and forced the prime minister out of office. Initially triggered by a ban on social media, protests led by Nepal's "Gen Z" youth exposed widespread discontent over corruption, unemployment and inequality.

Plus we visit Lake Malarikkal in Kerala, southern India. The seasonal monsoon lake gets covered with water lillies – to the delight of tourists and locals alike.

This week, China showed off its military and diplomatic prowess at a giant Victory Day parade, with dozens of world leaders – but few from the West – in attendance. President Xi Jinping stood shoulder to shoulder with Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un, declaring that China was "never intimidated by bullies". But does Beijing really want to create a new world order?

Also in this edition:

Indonesia has been gripped by violent protests over a cost-of-living crisis and the government's perceived indifference towards the struggles of ordinary citizens. The unrest was fuelled by the death of a delivery driver at the hands of the police. Now, the situation has drawn regional solidarity, with food orders coming in from across Southeast Asia.

And if you still play with your favourite childhood toys, or even buy new ones, you are among a growing number of "kidults" – children at heart with spending power – who have become an important consumer base for toymakers. At a recent trade fair in Japan, they were out in force.

In this edition of Access Asia, we explore how New Delhi is grappling with new 50 percent US tariffs taking effect. Will the souring relations between Narendra Modi and Donald Trump force India to rethink its ties with the United States and look further east? Meanwhile, South Korea scores another pop-culture win as its animated musical "KPop Demon Hunters" smashes Netflix records.

On this week's show, we speak with author Aatish Taseer about his new book, "A Return to Self: Excursions in Exile". He shares why he has no regrets for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi "India's Divider in Chief" in his 2019 Time article. We also report on how Bangladesh remains on edge as the country approaches the one-year anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Plus, two North Korean defectors make their K-pop debut.

On Access Asia this week, we speak to historian Audrey Truschke, whose new book covers 5,000 years of history on the Subcontinent. She tells us how she remains committed to historical truth, saying: "I will not be swayed by modern politics, modern pressures, no matter how extreme they are." We also cover how Afghans have been left in limbo, with the latest deportation drive from Iran underway.

Produced by Joanna Cockerell and Elisa Amiri.

The last remaining active pro-democracy party in Hong Kong has disbanded, citing pressure from Beijing. It's the latest casualty in a years-long crackdown that's already extinguished much of the city's opposition. Meanwhile, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor after his death, ruffling some feathers in China ahead of his ninetieth birthday. Finally, the most successful series ever streamed on Netflix, "Squid Game", is coming to an end. The third and final season of the South Korean show has set a new record for the streaming platform in the first three days.